USCMO calls the congressional backing an important step in fighting Islamophobia
(WASHINGTON, DC – 7/23/2021) – The US Council of Muslim Organizations today thanked members of Congress for supporting the Muslim community’s call for President Biden to establish a Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia around the world.
On July 21st, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Andre Carson, and a diverse group of other House members announced their support for the initiative. The House members have sent a letter to Secretary Blinken calling for him to create the position, and also plans to introduce legislation that would formally establish the position.
Earlier this year, USCMO sent a letter to the Biden Administration calling on the State Department to establish the special envoy position.
SEE: USCMO Letter to Biden Administration
Similar to the envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism, the envoy would confront and counter the global spread of anti-Muslim bigotry, which has impacted Muslim communities in countries as varied as Austria, Burma, Canada China, France, India, and Sri Lanka, among many other places.
In a statement, USCMO Secretary-General Oussama Jammal said:
“USCMO members applaud Representative Omar, Representative Carson, and other members of Congress for calling on the Biden Administration to appoint a Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia which is a key demand in USCMO’s letter to President Biden.
“Anti-Muslim bigotry has spread like wildfire in recent years, endangering both American Muslims and Muslims around the world. The United States has both the opportunity and the obligation to combat this global trend, which has led to discrimination, hate crimes, ethnic cleansing, and even genocide in recent years.
“We thank members of Congress for taking this important step, and our members look forward to continuing to work with them and the Biden Administration to establish this historic position as soon as possible.”
USCMO calls on the Muslim American community, their friends, and partners to support the creation and appointment of this position.
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